Niger has granted authorisation for Mali and Burkina Faso’s armed forces to intervene on its soil if attacked, hinting at the junta’s intent to resist regional pressure, according to a Thursday statement.

The West African bloc ECOWAS has been negotiating with Niger’s coup leaders but remains prepared to deploy troops if diplomacy fails.

This move carries a risk of further destabilisation in the insurgency-hit region, as Niger’s junta-led neighbours, Mali and Burkina Faso, pledge support for Niger in any conflict with ECOWAS.

Foreign ministers of the three nations, meeting in Niamey, Niger, discussed enhancing security cooperation.

The ministers applauded Niger junta leader General Abdourahamane Tiani’s signing of orders enabling Mali and Burkina Faso’s Defense and Security Forces to intervene on Nigerien territory in case of an attack.

The ministers from Mali and Burkina Faso emphasised their rejection of armed intervention against Niger’s people, deeming it a declaration of war.

“The Burkinabe and Malian Ministers … reiterated their rejection of an armed intervention against the people of Niger which will be considered as a declaration of war,” they said in a statement.